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ScandiKitchen: The Essence of Hygge
Discover the essence of hygge as revealed by Brontë Aurell, Danish owner of London’s ScandiKitchen in this honest and thoughtful guide, which also features some of her favorite recipes from her books, The Scandi Kitchen and Fika & Hygge, to help you enjoy a "hyggelig" time.
Discover the essence of hygge as revealed by Brontë Aurell, Danish owner of London’s ScandiKitchen in this honest and thoughtful guide, which also features some of her favorite recipes from her books, The Scandi Kitchen and Fika & Hygge, to help you enjoy a "hyggelig" time.
Hygge is in the zeitgeist, but what is it, how do we bring hygge in our lives and why are we so captivated with this Danish word? According to Brontë it is really not complicated and doesn’t involve spending vast amounts of money on candles or blankets… in its purest form it is simply about appreciating life.
Explained in 12 entertaining chapters interspersed with recipes, you will learn first about the origins of the word hygge (old Norse) and then how to embrace it with essays Hygge and the Basics, Hygge and Happiness, Hygge and Sharing, Hygge and Baking, Hygge and Darkness, Hygge and Light, Hygge and Time, Hygge and Stress, Hygge and Soul, Hygge and Nature, Hygge and Stuff, and Hygge and Your Home.
Hygge is a completely psychological and emotional state of being. Whether it’s going for a long walk or baking and sharing a cake with friends, when you carve a pocket of time in your day, hygge can often be found. Remembering to appreciate and experience the moment will help you find your very own hygge.
Discover the essence of hygge as revealed by Brontë Aurell, Danish owner of London’s ScandiKitchen in this honest and thoughtful guide, which also features some of her favorite recipes from her books, The Scandi Kitchen and Fika & Hygge, to help you enjoy a "hyggelig" time.
Hygge is in the zeitgeist, but what is it, how do we bring hygge in our lives and why are we so captivated with this Danish word? According to Brontë it is really not complicated and doesn’t involve spending vast amounts of money on candles or blankets… in its purest form it is simply about appreciating life.
Explained in 12 entertaining chapters interspersed with recipes, you will learn first about the origins of the word hygge (old Norse) and then how to embrace it with essays Hygge and the Basics, Hygge and Happiness, Hygge and Sharing, Hygge and Baking, Hygge and Darkness, Hygge and Light, Hygge and Time, Hygge and Stress, Hygge and Soul, Hygge and Nature, Hygge and Stuff, and Hygge and Your Home.
Hygge is a completely psychological and emotional state of being. Whether it’s going for a long walk or baking and sharing a cake with friends, when you carve a pocket of time in your day, hygge can often be found. Remembering to appreciate and experience the moment will help you find your very own hygge.
160 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2017
About the author
Brontë Aurell
30 books25 followersI’m Brontë, a food writer and co-founder of ScandiKitchen, a café, grocery shop, online store and wholesale business. After I moved from Denmark to the UK and started a career in finance, I quickly realised that wasn’t for me. After some happy years working for Innocent drinks, I launched ScandiKitchen with my Swedish husband Jonas on 10th July 2007 – and gave birth to our first child a few hours later, just for an additional challenge.
So far, I’ve authored a few cookery books and published my own guide to hygge after an essay I wrote about it caused a mini media controversy. My mostly non-food book Nørth: How To Live Scandinavian is a humorous, but incisive look at what it means to be Scandinavian. I also manage to get out of the kitchen to appear on TV and radio as a cook, guest chef and talking about life as an entrepreneur, as well as helping with brand and recipe development for various companies. I created the #proudimmigrant movement in 2014 as a response to my own experiences as someone from overseas living and working in the UK.
So far, I’ve authored a few cookery books and published my own guide to hygge after an essay I wrote about it caused a mini media controversy. My mostly non-food book Nørth: How To Live Scandinavian is a humorous, but incisive look at what it means to be Scandinavian. I also manage to get out of the kitchen to appear on TV and radio as a cook, guest chef and talking about life as an entrepreneur, as well as helping with brand and recipe development for various companies. I created the #proudimmigrant movement in 2014 as a response to my own experiences as someone from overseas living and working in the UK.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 11, 2026
This is a charming and short book about hygge, what it is and what it isn't, along with several recipes for sweets and snacks. It was a quick read and I liked it.
April 2, 2017
A lovely book, small but perfectly formed. The author has written about hygge and how it relates to various aspects of life; home, stress, happiness etc. The chapters are short but to the point, with no unnecessary ramblings about candles and handspun socks. It is about hygge in real life, not "hygge", the marketing man's latest dream.
The book is interspersed with tempting recipes from author, Brönte Aurell's Scandikitchen, and inspiring illustrations.
Also important to a book like this, the paper is of wonderful, heavy quality and texture.
The book is interspersed with tempting recipes from author, Brönte Aurell's Scandikitchen, and inspiring illustrations.
Also important to a book like this, the paper is of wonderful, heavy quality and texture.
January 19, 2021
Disappointing.
I suppose it was my own fault, but I accidentally purchased one of those teeny, overpriced novelty pocket-sized books. There wasn't much substance, and all but one of the recipes I already had in Aurell's actual cookbooks.
Totally understandable that when your culture has pioneered this blissful state of being, and you see the US marketing machine turn it into a ton of stuff you have to buy to achieve what is really an appreciation of things that can't be bought, you'd feel the urge to write a tell-all book that sets us straight.
But, aside from telling us how to properly pronounce hygge finally (who-guh), most of the book was a ton of repetition: "Hygge is this; it is not this. You can't buy hygge in a store"...etc.
I still love Aurell's writing and adore her cookbooks, but this would have been better off as a blog post.
I suppose it was my own fault, but I accidentally purchased one of those teeny, overpriced novelty pocket-sized books. There wasn't much substance, and all but one of the recipes I already had in Aurell's actual cookbooks.
Totally understandable that when your culture has pioneered this blissful state of being, and you see the US marketing machine turn it into a ton of stuff you have to buy to achieve what is really an appreciation of things that can't be bought, you'd feel the urge to write a tell-all book that sets us straight.
But, aside from telling us how to properly pronounce hygge finally (who-guh), most of the book was a ton of repetition: "Hygge is this; it is not this. You can't buy hygge in a store"...etc.
I still love Aurell's writing and adore her cookbooks, but this would have been better off as a blog post.
January 26, 2026
A delightful book! Small book, but simple wisdom. A lovely, thought provoking guide to mindfully experiencing moments of comfort, peace & joy—& Scandinavian recipes for the kitchen. (…but missed recipes for lefse or flatbrod, which I enjoy making at home with kids)
September 1, 2017
I'm very anxious to try some of these recipes.
January 2, 2023
What a fun quick read. Full of wonderful information and beautiful pictures plus recipes.
A great book to have sitting around to pick up and make a quick batch of goodies.
A great book to have sitting around to pick up and make a quick batch of goodies.
February 13, 2023
This is honestly the best book I have read about hygge. Nothing pretentious, just down to earth real talk about what hygge really is.
August 14, 2021
I picked this up from my library because a short, cute book about creating calm and coziness (although, apparently coziness is not essential to hygge) would be a welcome balm to the very stressful few weeks I've had. And it was a fun little read and there's something to be said about taking the time to create a space and environment that makes you feel like you're doing a halfway decent job of taking care of yourself.
Am I still stressed? Totally. Abso-expletive deleted-lutely. (Thankfully, though, a number of deadlines at work passed, so it's a little better in that regard.) But it was nice to be reminded that there are some things I can at least control to make the the return from work at the end of the day better. OH! right ... I work out of my home 24 hours a day now. Thanks, COVID!
Time to create some new end of day rituals, I guess.
Am I still stressed? Totally. Abso-expletive deleted-lutely. (Thankfully, though, a number of deadlines at work passed, so it's a little better in that regard.) But it was nice to be reminded that there are some things I can at least control to make the the return from work at the end of the day better. OH! right ... I work out of my home 24 hours a day now. Thanks, COVID!
Time to create some new end of day rituals, I guess.
February 28, 2024
This book had some great insights into what hygge really is and means. Several great quotes:
"it's about taking time to go back to basics and doing the things that makes you feel wholesome again."
"If you come to my house don't expect a place ready for a photo shoot-and do expect to step on a few LEGO bricks...I don't think having a house that isn't perfect has impacted on my ability to create a space where people I love feel happy, relaxed and hyggelige."
"it's about taking time to go back to basics and doing the things that makes you feel wholesome again."
"If you come to my house don't expect a place ready for a photo shoot-and do expect to step on a few LEGO bricks...I don't think having a house that isn't perfect has impacted on my ability to create a space where people I love feel happy, relaxed and hyggelige."
July 23, 2018
If you want not only to read about the Danish concept of hygge, but also to find some appetising Nordic recipes, then this is probably the right book for you. Brontë Aurell, the Danish owner of London’s ScandiKitchen, the UK’s leading Scandinavian food outlets, shares 30 sweet and savoury recipes, including recipes for a Danish dream cake, Swedish scones and Norwegian cream buns.
December 26, 2022
Hygge is a verb. It's what you do. More importantly, it's the manner in which you do things. Hygge, pronounced (Hoo Guh) is a Norwegian word meaning calm, peaceful,happy, or comfortable. This book explains the concept of Hygge. It is interspersed with recipes that provide comfort as in comfort food which most likely will bring you a sense of Hygge.
July 18, 2021
It would have been a lower rating but the recipes look delicious and for that reason I'm going with 3 stars. The narrative was broad and forgettable. Mostly I just wanted wanted get through it so I stare at all the beautiful photos of baked goods.
May 14, 2025
#goals!
I’m in love with this concept of creating hygge at home. Living on the moment. Creating space for quality time. Homemade meals, fresh cookies, and Playing cards.
Life is short, I don’t want to miss a moment of it!
I’m in love with this concept of creating hygge at home. Living on the moment. Creating space for quality time. Homemade meals, fresh cookies, and Playing cards.
Life is short, I don’t want to miss a moment of it!
October 20, 2018
Enjoyable little book. 1/2 about hyggee, 1/2 recipes
October 17, 2019
Looking for a book that will fit into a pocket or pocketbook about hygge? Then this little tome fits the bill. It combines Scandi recipes as well as hygge explanations and tips.
March 10, 2021
Very classic fika recipes
November 27, 2021
Nice, interesting little book with some lovely recipes in it.
October 2, 2022
great recipes, great ideas for everyday living
October 13, 2022
In my opinion you just can’t miss with any Scandikitchen books.
December 27, 2022
Lots of great words and recipes packed into such a little book!
September 23, 2023
A little bland, but Aurell is always good for a cozy baked good recipe!
September 21, 2025
A cute book about hygge with easy to understand references for what hygge is all about...I wish the cafe was in Denmark (it's in London). I liked the shape of this book, very cozy!
July 17, 2019
I am trying this author again. I love the real hygge advice and the photography, but still find her recipes more complex than any I normally attempt. Guess I could substitute some of my simpler family versions and achieve a similar end.
August 5, 2019
An inspiring little book on Hygge. It offers insights into living a Danish lifestyle and the recipes sound delicious. The perfect book to curl up with on long cold afternoons/nights whilst enjoying a hot chocolate and cinnamon bun (homemade of course).
April 15, 2017
A small but beautiful book - the perfect mini version of a coffee table book. It invites readers to linger in the candlelight.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews